How Soon Should You Start Planning Your Relocation

Answering the question of how soon should you start planning your relocation is not easy! Why? Because the answer depends on many factors - where you are moving, whom you are moving with, how many belongings you have, whether you will be moving alone or with the help of professionals, etc.

There are cases when you have to move overnight. What then? Well, you don't plan; just stuff everything into boxes, fill your car and go. But, there are cases when you know that you have to move shortly, and you have all the time in the world to plan for that big step. And today, we will deal with the latter. Today will talk about all the moving-related things you have to do and when you have to do them. Thus, if this is something that you want to find out, keep on reading.

Plan One Year in Advance

Ideally, you should have one year to start planning your relocation. During that time, you should work on saving money for the big move. You will need money most to buy a new home or pay that last rent in your old home and the first in your new home; you will need it for deposits, insurance, renovations, and the actual moving process.

Moreover, if you are a homeowner, you will also need time to decide whether to sell your home or rent it out. Both instances require a lot of time. Just think about how much time you would need to find an excellent real estate agent to fix your home, meet with buyers and renters, and ultimately close the deal.

Finally, you will need time to book your movers. Remember that all good movers are booked months or even a year ahead. If you wait until the last minute for this, you will either end up with movers that are unreliable (and just bad) or with movers that will cost a fortune.

A period of one year is perfect for planning a stress-free and successful move.

What to Do Six Months in Advance

Planning your relocation for six months is still a good start. You will need to do all the
abovementioned things, and you will have to start looking for a new home immediately. It
doesn't matter whether you will be renting or buying; finding a home that will suit your budget and your needs is time-consuming.

Moreover, finding a home doesn't mean only finding a house or an apartment; it also means
finding the right neighborhood. You will have to find an area that is going to be close to your work and to your children's schools, a safe area, and an area that has all the amenities your family needs. So, make sure you have some spare time to do this research too!

And let us remind you one more time to read moving reviews and book your movers if you
haven't already, of course. Six months in advance is your last chance to find some reliable,
professional, and affordable movers. Trust us; whether you are moving long-distance or just around the corner, you should have expert help at your disposal. So, be sure to find it on time.

If you want to avoid moving stress, start planning your relocation at least six months in advance.

What to Do One Month in Advance

Your move is approaching - just one more month. This month may be the most hectic time of your entire moving process as it will require a lot of running from one place to the next.
If you decide to have a DIY kind of move, that is to not hire movers, one month in advance is the time to start buying your packing materials. You will need cardboard boxes, plastic bins, packing paper, plastic wrap, packing peanuts, duct tape, scissors, permanent markers (for labeling), etc.

Moreover, you might also need things like moving blankets, dollies, moving straps, etc. And, of course, don't forget about the moving truck - you will need to rent it!
Moreover, do some research on how to make moving and packing simple too! Trust us, packing your belongings, carrying them to the moving truck, relocating them carefully, and then unpacking and assembling them all over again is a lot harder than it seems.

One month in advance is also when you have to visit your doctor, dentist, your pet's vet, etc., and get all your medical records transferred to your new city or state. And, speaking of transferring, your utilities and some of your personal documents might need it too.

As long as you start planning your relocation on time, your move will not be stressful.

What to Do a Week in Advance

Suppose you have done all the abovementioned things, this week before the move will be easy-peasy. All you have to do now is pack up your belongings (or have movers pack them) and load your moving truck. If you have some items you don't think you will need in your new home, now is the time to declutter. Gather all the extra stuff, donate, sell, or let it hit the bin.

One thing you should prepare before your big move is the so-called essential bag. This bag (or box or a bin) will carry all the things you might need on your moving day and the day after. For instance, you should put all your essential documents, the necessary electronics for the road, some clothes and a pair of shoes, food, drinks, etc.

And, of course, don't forget to include some time for a Goodbye Party when planning your
relocation. One week before your moving day is a perfect time for that. Your home will probably be almost empty, so use that to your advantage to call all the people dear to you and say goodbye.

We hope that all the things and timelines mentioned above helped you answer your question about how soon should you start planning your relocation. Nothing is strictly set, so plan according to your needs. But one thing is sure - the sooner you start, the better.

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY GUEST BLOGGER:

Dakota Hendrix Editor @ US Pro Warehouse
w: usprowarehouse.com
e: [email protected]